The organisation argues that the right European policy framework can accelerate the roll-out and take-up of new mobile services that will boost socio-economic benefits for the region.
“Private investment, enterprise and innovation will be vital for building a Connected Europe, with partnerships between industry sectors and between industry and government. However, EU institutions can enable the full and accelerated development of a Connected Europe by taking a supportive policy and regulatory approach that addresses key asks from the European mobile industry,” GSMA argues.
GSMA points out that, despite recent setbacks for the European mobile industry with decreasing revenues that will impact future investment, mobile communication is still a key European industry, comparable in size to aerospace and larger than pharmaceuticals, with total revenues amounting to around €174bn.
Anne Bouverot, director general, GSMA, commented: “Europe is experiencing successive waves of mobile connectivity. The first wave – Europe’s GSM success – connected people on the move. The second wave brought mobile broadband at ever-increasing speeds to hundreds of millions of Europe’s citizens and businesses. We are now seeing the third wave with mobile networks delivering connectivity to devices ranging from health monitors and smart meters to connected cars, transforming the face of industry and the lives of individuals.”
GSMA notes that Europe has the highest mobile penetration rate in the world, with total connections of 135% in Europe in 2012 (versus 87 % in Asia and 108 % in Northern America), and predicted to rise to 152 % by 2017.
Across Europe, it is forecast there will be 2.1 billion mobile connections by the end of this decade, an increase of more than 60 % from 1.3 billion today.
Advanced mobile broadband networks are delivering faster data rates, low latency and expanding coverage, with currently 326 million mobile broadband connections in Europe alone.
Mobile connected devices in Europe are predicted to soar to almost 1 billion by 2020, with total connected devices estimated to reach almost 6 billion. Total revenues forecast for key industries in Europe through mobile connectivity by 2020 per year include almost €23bn for healthcare; €46bn for Smart Cities and utilities; and €48bn for the automotive and transport sector.
Bouverot added: “Europe has been an innovator and leader from the inception of mobile communications, although this leadership position has weakened in recent years. The third wave of mobile and the delivery of connected services present a new and substantial opportunity for future growth. It is my wish that the mobile industry and European institutions establish a positive policy framework that will continue to position Europe at the forefront of this exciting industry.”
